Project description:Tfap2c is deleted in Tpbpa positive precursor cells forming the junctional zone of murine placenta. Deregulation in gene expression is analysed compared to the junctional zone in control placenta.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility.
Project description:Placentation differs in the BN rat strain when compared to HSD and DSS rat strains. Intrauterine trophoblast invasion is shallow and the junctional zone is underdeveloped in the BN rat. These structural differences are striking but their quantification is not conducive to high throughput analyses. In the rat, the junctional zone can be readily dissected and is more homogenous than other components of the placentation site. HSD and BN rat gestation day 18.5 junctional zone gene expression profiles were determined using DNA microarray analysis to identity placenta-associate quantitate traits. Total RNAs from Junctional zone tissues of gestation day18.5 HSD and BN rat strains were subjected to microarray analyses. Three biological replicates of each strains were analyzed.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility. Gene expression was measured in whole testis from males aged 62-86 days. Samples include 190 first generation lab-bred male offspring of wild-caught mice from the Mus musculus musculus - M. m. domesticus hybrid zone.
Project description:Placentation differs in the BN rat strain when compared to HSD and DSS rat strains. Intrauterine trophoblast invasion is shallow and the junctional zone is underdeveloped in the BN rat. These structural differences are striking but their quantification is not conducive to high throughput analyses. In the rat, the junctional zone can be readily dissected and is more homogenous than other components of the placentation site. HSD and BN rat gestation day 18.5 junctional zone gene expression profiles were determined using DNA microarray analysis to identity placenta-associate quantitate traits.
Project description:AKT1 is a serine/threonine kinase implicated in fetal, placental, and postnatal growth. In this study, we investigated roles for AKT1 in placental development using a genome-edited/loss-of-function rat model. Both heterozygous and homozygous Akt1 mutant rats were viable and fertile. Disruption of AKT1 resulted in placental, fetal, and postnatal growth restriction. Akt1 null placentas showed deficits in both junctional zone and labyrinth zone size and their ability to adapt to a physiological stressor. Robust differences in the transcriptome of wild type versus Akt1 null junctional zones were identified. Among the differentially expressed junctional zone transcripts was forkhead box O4 (Foxo4), which encodes a transcription factor and known AKT substrate. FOXO4 expression was prominent in the junctional zone and invasive trophoblast cells of the rat placentation site and enhanced following rat TS cell differentiation. Foxo4 gene disruption using genome-editing resulted in placentomegaly, including an enlarged junctional zone. AKT1 and FOXO4 regulate the expression of many of the same transcripts expressed by trophoblast cells; however, in opposite directions. In summary, we have identified AKT1 and FOXO4 as part of a regulatory network controlling hemochorial placenta development.
Project description:AKT1 is a serine/threonine kinase implicated in fetal, placental, and postnatal growth. In this study, we investigated roles for AKT1 in placental development using a genome-edited/loss-of-function rat model. Both heterozygous and homozygous Akt1 mutant rats were viable and fertile. Disruption of AKT1 resulted in placental, fetal, and postnatal growth restriction. Akt1 null placentas showed deficits in both junctional zone and labyrinth zone size and their ability to adapt to a physiological stressor. Robust differences in the transcriptome of wild type versus Akt1 null junctional zones were identified. Among the differentially expressed junctional zone transcripts was forkhead box O4 (Foxo4), which encodes a transcription factor and known AKT substrate. FOXO4 expression was prominent in the junctional zone and invasive trophoblast cells of the rat placentation site and enhanced following rat TS cell differentiation. Foxo4 gene disruption using genome-editing resulted in placentomegaly, including an enlarged junctional zone. AKT1 and FOXO4 regulate the expression of many of the same transcripts expressed by trophoblast cells; however, in opposite directions. In summary, we have identified AKT1 and FOXO4 as part of a regulatory network controlling hemochorial placenta development.
Project description:Placenta junctional zone and brains dissected, kept in -80ºC, RNA extracted with RNAesasy kit kiagen, cDNA performed with normalized RNA levels. qPCR gene expression profiling
Project description:Placenta enriched 1 (PLAC1) is a highly conserved X chromosome-linked gene prominently expressed in the mammalian placenta. The functions of PLAC1 in placentation have yet to emerge fully. The rat shares hemochorial placentation and deep intrauterine trophoblast cell invasion with the human. Herein, we investigated the expression and biological activities of PLAC1 in the rat and human placenta. Plac1 transcripts were prominently expressed in the junctional zone of the rat placenta, a structure analogous to the extravillous trophoblast cell column of the human placentation site, and in invasive trophoblast cells. A PLAC1 mutant rat model was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and used to investigate the role of PLAC1 in rat placentation. Plac1 mutant animals exhibited placentomegaly. Enlarged placentas were characterized by an expanded junctional zone, an irregular junctional zone-labyrinth zone boundary, and a prominent depletion of invasive trophoblast cells within the uterine parenchyma. PLAC1 was required for rat trophoblast stem (TS) cell differentiation. In human TS cell development, PLAC1 does not contribute to the regulation of the human invasive/extravillous trophoblast cell lineage, but instead, PLAC1 expression and actions were linked to syncytiotrophoblast differentiation. Thus, PLAC1 is critically involved in hemochorial placentation; however, the responsive trophoblast cell lineages and its contributions to placentation are fundamentally distinct in the rat versus human.
Project description:Placenta enriched 1 (PLAC1) is a highly conserved X chromosome-linked gene prominently expressed in the mammalian placenta. The functions of PLAC1 in placentation have yet to emerge fully. The rat shares hemochorial placentation and deep intrauterine trophoblast cell invasion with the human. Herein, we investigated the expression and biological activities of PLAC1 in the rat and human placenta. Plac1 transcripts were prominently expressed in the junctional zone of the rat placenta, a structure analogous to the extravillous trophoblast cell column of the human placentation site, and in invasive trophoblast cells. A PLAC1 mutant rat model was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and used to investigate the role of PLAC1 in rat placentation. Plac1 mutant animals exhibited placentomegaly. Enlarged placentas were characterized by an expanded junctional zone, an irregular junctional zone-labyrinth zone boundary, and a prominent depletion of invasive trophoblast cells within the uterine parenchyma. PLAC1 was required for rat trophoblast stem (TS) cell differentiation. In human TS cell development, PLAC1 does not contribute to the regulation of the human invasive/extravillous trophoblast cell lineage, but instead, PLAC1 expression and actions were linked to syncytiotrophoblast differentiation. Thus, PLAC1 is critically involved in hemochorial placentation; however, the responsive trophoblast cell lineages and its contributions to placentation are fundamentally distinct in the rat versus human.